Mobile hospital bed scale

ABSTRACT

A mobile hospital patient bed scale is contemplated which lifts the entire bed with patient in situ on a load platform with an aperture to accommodate the undercarriage of many hospital beds such as a motor. The scale minimizes both vertical and horizontal displacement. The platform has load cells which deliver data to a memory and display device. The invention is portable and partly foldable to aid in storage. It provides for recharging if desired, and for use of an auxiliary power source if desired. The driving force for lifting may be a hydraulic ram or an electrically powered screw drive.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND CONTINUATION DATA

[0001] In the United States, this application is a continuation-in-partof Provisional Application No. 60/532,326 filed Dec. 23, 2003 and ofSer. No. 09/653,829 upon which U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,442 will issue onJan. 20, 2004. Ser. No. 09/653,829 was a continuation-in-part of PCTAppl. No. 99/27529 filed in the United States as Receiving Office onNov. 19, 1999 and designating the United States, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. pat. appl. Ser. No. 09/097128, filed Jun.12, 1998, which was a continuation-in-part of a provisional applicationby the name of A Mobile Hospital Bed Scale filed on May 28, 1998invented by Adam T. Ashpes and Richard Rynd to which Ser. No. 60/086,999was assigned. U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,423 issued on U.S. pat. appl. Ser. No.09/097,128 on Nov. 23, 1999. A provisional application was filed on Jun.2, 2000 as Ser. No. 60/209,431.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is a mobile hospital bed scale which slides under ahospital or nursing bed, with patient in situ, and accommodates theundercarriage which protrudes beneath the supporting framework of ahospital or nursing bed. With a minimum of disturbance of the patient, aperson can operate the mobile hospital bed scale to lift the entire bedslightly, with patient in place, as opposed to lifting the patient apartfrom the bed, and as opposed to implanting the scale in the bed. Themobile hospital bed scale is used to determine the weight of bed andpatient. If a memory device is programmed with the tare weight of thebed, the patient's weight can be determined, or stored for future recalland reference. The data can be downloaded to a computer for automateduse and analysis. The mobile hospital bed scale is portable and can bemoved from bed to bed. The bed can be operated by an electricallypowered drive or can be battery operated.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Weighing bedridden hospital patients is a time consuming andunpleasant task. An obvious and unpleasant way to weigh patients is toput a sling underneath them, and hoist them by a spring scale. Thisdisturbs the patient. Foster et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,849 is avariation on this theme and contemplates building the bed with a patientsupport built on a frame that can be raised and lowered on the bed. Thisrequires the adaptation of all hospital beds to this scale, which isexpensive. The present invention avoids that bed-by-bed expense and thedisturbance of the patient.

[0006] In Stultz et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,789, the inventor proposesto slide a horizontal table under the patient and then weigh thepatient. The necessary tipping or related movement of the patient to getthe scale underneath the patient is sometimes referred to as“log-rolling.” Not only does the invention disturb the patient, but theinvention is somewhat bulky and takes up more storage space than thepresent invention. Swersey et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,276, Dec. 11, 1984attempts to eliminate some of the bulk by having a tip-up platform, butstill requires sliding a horizontal table under the patient to weigh thepatient. Hay et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,817 Jun. 14, 1994 alsocontemplates a tip-up, fold-up horizontal platform slid under thepatient. Both the sling and the horizontal table inventions requiresubstantial movement of the patient. Such movement is one of the largestsources of disability injury to employees of ambulatory care facilities.Other patents such as Eisen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,515, Mar. 18, 1997, areof the same genre.

[0007] Swersey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,428, Dec. 27, 1988, is entitled“Hospital Bed with an Integrated Scale.” As the name suggests the scaleis in the bed. Weighing patients is very important and needs to be donefor bedridden patients approximately once per day. The expense ofequipping an entire ambulatory facility with such beds and bed scales issubstantial. That expense for multiple beds is eliminated by the presentinvention.

[0008] Stith et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,989, Apr. 29, 1986 contemplatesa scale mounted on and in a bed frame. The invention appears intendedfor acute care. Koerber, Sr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,470, Oct. 9, 1990 alsocontemplates a weighing mechanism as part of the bed. The Stith andKoerber inventions are not practical for large multiple bed facilitiesbecause, again, weighing patients is very important and needs to be donefor bedridden patients approximately once per day. The expense ofequipping an entire ambulatory facility with such beds and bed scales issubstantial. That expense for multiple beds is eliminated by the presentinvention. Other patents such as Bumbalough, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,938 areof the same genre.

[0009] Carruth et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,692, Dec. 4, 1990 contemplateda weigh bed with two frames, but contemplates that there will be a weighframe associated with each bed. The frame is not adapted to be used withmultiple types of beds. Carruth et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,977, Dec. 29,1992 also contemplated using a load cell, but not in a combination asfacile or designed like the present invention.

[0010] Hasty et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,935 takes a different approachby having multiple slats slid under a mattress with load cells on eachend. It still requires patient movement and does not appear tocontemplate a memory device for the tare weight of the mattress or forthe patient weight.

[0011] The Engelsher art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,818, Nov. 16, 1965, uses asimilar but different concept than the Hasty '935 patent. Engelshercontemplates minimizing patient movement by placing a platform on a bedframe and using inflatable airtight means to communicate with ameasuring device and determine weight from the pressure generated whenthe airtight means is pumped to hold the patient's weight.

[0012] Waters et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,136 falls in the same genre asthe Stith invention as an in-bed weighing device.

[0013] Swersey et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,730, has an “under bed” scalewhich achieves many of the patient care objects of this invention andrelieves a source of disability injury. However, that bed scale requiresa pair of scales onto which the bed is rolled.

[0014] Whitecar, U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,992, Mar. 11, 1969 designed for usewith a forklift, contemplates locating a series of cylinders under aplatform and having pistons protrude through the platform to hold thelifted weight and then measure the weight by the resulting pressure onpre-pressurized cylinder pistons.

[0015] Zefira, U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,478, Apr. 14, 1998, similar toWhitecar, designed for weighing pallets, contemplates cylinders below aplatform and a retractable contact member that contacts the pallet.

[0016] Harvill, U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,115, somewhat similarly to Whitecarcontemplates removing a display means and weighing a bulk storage tank,or alternatively, situating three jacks to lift a bulk storage tank.

[0017] Neuman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,745, May 5, 1998, provides for ahousing for attachment to a lower portion of a bed and requiresattachment to a bed. Neuman's invention then requires that a supportmeans must be extended. Once mounted to a bed in the housing, a loadcell is used for weighing. The contemplation in the Neuman invention isto retrofit beds to have the Neuman system mounted on the beds.

[0018] Hillesheim, U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,680, Sept. 13, 1983, contemplatesusing a hydraulic cylinder to drive a scissors jack under a platform,and then measuring the resulting pressure in the hydraulic drivingcylinder to determine the weight of the object on the platform. A systemof compensating for friction effects of the piston and the scissorssystem is included in the claims.

[0019] A Mobile Hospital Bed Scale invented by Adam T. Ashpes andRichard Rynd on which U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,423 issued on Nov. 23, 1999contemplated a hand-pumped hydraulic bed on a square platform.

[0020] The present invention eliminates any patient movement withrespect to the bed and further accommodates a motor or underlyingequipment to a bed. The present invention only requires a small verticalmovement of the bed on the platform sufficient to allow the platform tobear the weight of the patient and bed, which can be two inches ofvertical lift of the bed or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates the mobile bed scale with pop-down floor gripsand the platform to support a hospital bed partially raised.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile bed scale with a pivot typemechanism and shows the location of a power source for lifting, in thisinvention, either a foot-operated hydraulic pump or an electric motorwith a screw drive. If the hydraulic pump with a piston or ram is used,a release for the piston and pump is shown.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows various wheel locking arrangements.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a typical display box and the wiring from the loadcells that sense the bed weight.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows an end view with an offset axle mechanism used tosecure the mobile bed scale from moving.

[0026]FIG. 6 shows an end view with an offset axle mechanism in aposition with the wheels lowered for movement of the scale.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows an end view of the mobile bed scale with the handleremoved for clarity with the platform in raised position and pop-downfloor grips in the locked position.

[0028]FIG. 8 shows an end view of the mobile bed scale with the handleremoved for clarity with the platform in lowered position and pop-downfloor grips in the unlocked position.

[0029]FIG. 9 shows a side view of the scale with the handle, the displayand two parallel angled linkages. The platform is in a raised positionwith pop-down floor grips in the locked position.

[0030]FIG. 10 shows FIG. 9 in the lowered position. The handle is shownas being maneuvered to be lowered even though pop-down floor grips areused.

[0031]FIG. 11 shows a folding handle feature added to FIG. 9 with thescale in the lowered position ready to be moved and stored.

[0032]FIG. 12 shows a side view of an electrically operated screw drivesystem without some interior detail of linkage of the screw drive.

[0033]FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal cross section from a side viewwithout the mobile base frame and shows the linkage more directly.

[0034]FIG. 14 shows a rear view without the linkage, but shows therelative position of the screw drive to the motor with the platformpartially raised.

[0035]FIG. 15 shows overall detail of the open frame construction andthe location of the load cells.

[0036]FIG. 16 shows detail of a single load cell integration into theframe from one side.

[0037]FIG. 17 has a side view of FIG. 16 parallel to the platform.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0038] An object of the invention is to enable the tare weight of a bedto be easily ascertained, recorded, and retained.

[0039] An object of the invention is to enable a slight person to easilymaneuver the invention under a hospital bed and to use it.

[0040] An object of one version of the invention is to avoid thenecessity of a plug-in power source.

[0041] An object of another version of the invention is to permit theraising a lowering of the bed smoothly without the necessity of humanpower to power the lifting mechanism.

[0042] An object of the invention is to create a weighing system or bedscale that can be used with various models of beds.

[0043] An object of the invention is to accommodate a greater variety ofbed designs, particularly those which have protruding equipment andapparatus below the bed frame supported by the wheels of the bed.

[0044] An object of the invention is to enable accommodation of tubesattached to the bed or the patient hanging below and internal to the bedframe, rather disconnecting them if no space exists to secure the tubesfrom being pinched by a square frame.

[0045] An object of the invention is to have a memory storage device tostore multiple tare weights of beds and multiple weighings so that datacan be easily batch-transferred to patient records after an employee hasdone, for instance, a “row” of beds or rooms in automated fashion. Ifdesired, the invention may have a wireless data transmission apparatusconnected to the memory storage device to enable wireless transmissionof that data, or use a cradle based transmission with the memory storagedevice, which could be removable, or a plug-in connection.

[0046] An object of the invention is to have the scale be potentiallyself-contained, if desired, by using a battery source(s) for power.

Description of the Invention

[0047] The preferred design for the invention is to use an electricmotor with a screw drive, and a linkage which provides leverage to pivota lifting platform upward, thereby raising a hospital bed. Secondly, asupporting frame with an open center frame is contemplated as ahorizontal bed support. The frame is preferably square, butalternatively U-shaped. Load cells are mounted on the frame to determinebed weight. Different bed designs are better accommodated by an openframe design, particularly those which have protruding equipment andapparatus below the bed frame supported by the wheels of the bed. Somebeds have undercarriages of motors relatively close to the floor in thecenter area of the bed. Further, if tubes are attached to the bed or thepatient hanging below and internal to the bed frame, ratherdisconnecting them if no space exists to secure the tubes from beingpinched by a square frame, a U-shaped frame or square frame with a gapcould be used to minimize convalescent disturbance. Thirdly, theinvention, proposes a further option to further automate the patientweighing function by saving in the memory storage device the informationconcerning individual bed weight and equipment or patient weight andthen communicating the information electronically to a centralprocessing unit either by any one of several means of communicationincluding placing the memory storage device in a cradle much like a PalmPilot (trademark of Palm, Inc., an unaffiliated company), using aplug-in connector, or using a wireless communication system. The motormay be designed to accept either ambient AC voltage, or battery power orboth. Recharging and a means for recharging are enhanced to be moreflexible. Typical is a plug system of recharging, but also claimed wouldbe recharging by placement of an electromagnetically excited coiladjacent to a second coil to communicate power much like an electrictoothbrush is recharged. The invention consists first of a mobile framebase (1). Attached to the mobile frame base are a handle (2) a set ofwheels (3) nearest the handle, and steering wheels (4) mounted on theend of the scale away from the handle. The wheels farther away from thehandle (4) may be fixed or mobile, but optimally should protrudeslightly under the frame. Depending on the selected lifting and movementmechanism, there needs to be at least two means of support for rollingthe mobile bed support, and preferably four. Normally, four wheels willbe used to move on a planar surface such as a floor.

[0048] Because the scale has little horizontal movement on elevating abed, the wheels or frame need not necessarily be locked or secured tothe floor on a level floor. However, there may also be a system suchthat when the handle is lifted, at least one set of wheels rises so thatpart of the frame rests on the floor to minimize lateral movement of thebed scale and the bed being lifted. In that design, an offset axle (13)in FIG. 5, and an offset axle tie rod (15) to a handle (2), are employedin combination so that when the handle is lifted the wheels are raised(so the mobile frame base rests on the floor) and when the handle islowered the wheels are lowered (allowing the frame to roll).

[0049] Another way to lock the frame to the floor is to use sprungwheels (3B). In this alternative, attached to the frame base proximateto the corners are sprung wheels mounted so that when weight is put onthe frame, it presses down on the springs, so that the bottoms of thewheels are even with the bottom of the frame base which bears the weightof the bed being lifted and prevents the apparatus from rolling. This isreferred to in this invention as the wheel-spring mechanism. Uponrelease of the weight of the bed, the wheels “pop down” and theinvention can be rolled to the next bed. Because a certain amount offorce is required to press the wheels down before the bed is lifted, thememory device recalling the tare weight must have the “press-down” tareweight also stored. Alternatively, locking wheels may be used that areheavier duty caster-type wheels (3C). Another alternative is to usefloor gripping plungers or “pop-down floor grips” (6) such as one seesused to hold open doors. See FIG. 7. These are operated by pressing atoe on a piston held by sprung metal to lock the grip, and released bypressing a toe on the piston or the sprung metal depending on thedesign, and simply release the pressure on the wheels so the frame doesnot roll, which is shown in exaggerated fashion in FIG. 7. A continuousaxle for better weight distribution may be used (13B). FIG. 8 shows thefloor gripping plunger or “pop-down floor grip” in the upright modeallowing the mobile bed scale to roll. FIG. 9 shows the platformlowered, and the floor gripping plungers up and the scale ready-to-roll.In total, however, with the screw drive, the lifting is so small thatthe horizontal displacement is not significant, and on a floor, theweight of the bed and scale are likely sufficient to not require anyimmobilization of the scale. Immobilization apparatus can be lockdownfloor grips, wheel-locks, pop-down grips that one steps on and then arereleased by a toe touch on a holding mechanism, and a variety of othermechanisms to secured wheels or frames on wheels or braking mechanismsknown to those reasonably skilled in the art.

[0050] Mounted on the mobile frame base is a lifting apparatus (7). Thelifting is caused by a power source (5). This is preferably an electricmotor operating a screw drive. In FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, a system is usedcontemplates a motor that turns a screw drive (16). The screw driveworks through a moveable brace (20) mounted with a pivot(17) on themobile base frame (1). The screw drives a second brace (19) which isconnected to a linkage (18) (in this design, with two arms) which,pivoting on the base levers the platform (9) supporting the bed upwards.A tie bar (21) coordinates the lifting arms. That lifting apparatus ispreferably used to elevate a platform with load cells (8). The liftingmechanism can also be a scissors mechanism, but could be two parallelangled linkages on each side are linked at a center pivot point by a tiebar (7). See FIGS. 1 and 9. The two parallel angled linkages shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 9 can be reversed so that the apex of the angle formedat the point indicated (7) faces the handle (2). If so reversed, muchlike a car jack, where upward pressure is generated by pulling threadedblocks together with a screw at the “bending elbows” of the car jack, inthis invention, a piston is to be used to place pressure on the side ofthe scissors to create upward lift. A universal joint could be used lessefficiently to place moving pressure on a linkage from the screw driveand attach the screw drive to the linkage. Alternatively, a piston couldbe used to lift the platform directly and the scissors mechanism or thepivot mechanism could be used to stabilize the upward rise of theplatform. A lifting apparatus tie rod (14), perpendicular to the lengthof the mobile bed frame, may be used to tie the sides of the lifting orstabilizing mechanism together.

[0051] The horizontal bed support or platform (9) is equipped with loadcells. The platform can be purchased “off-the-shelf” with the load cells(8). The load cells generate an electrical output transmitted through adata cable or wire harness (11) serving as a data transmission means toa display indicating the weight of the load on the platform.

[0052] Whatever power source is used, the power source operates directlyor indirectly against the lifting apparatus. The best electric powersource is one that uses a power source such as a battery, or thatrequires a plug inserted into an electrical outlet in the wall.Alternatively, a hydraulic pump to turn the screw drive can be used. Itshould be recognized that it is not preferable to have any more lift ofthe bed than is necessary. Subject to the positioning of the bed on theplatform, once the bed is lifted so its entire weight is on theplatform, sufficient lift has been achieved. This may require as littleas a fraction of an inch. If the wheel spring mechanism, the wheel locksor the pop-down floor grips such as one uses for holding open doors areused, there will not only be little horizontal displacement, but alsolittle vertical displacement of a patient bed.

[0053] After the pump has been operated upward, reversal of a switch(22)reverses the process. The preferred switch is a three positionswitch with up, off, and down positions to selectively power the motorfor the desired operation of the scale.

[0054] In the preferred mode of invention, though not necessary ifcertain manual functions are performed, a small memory device (10) ismounted to the handle (2). The small memory device is defined as onewhich is programmed to perform at least one of the following functions:store bed tare weights and store patient weights. Those weights are usedfor recall and input to patient charts (10A-10H). Such memory device canbe also programmed and includes devices programmed to store and relate adate. Normally the display device and memory device would be in the same“box” and would include not only the memory device (10A), but also anLCD or LED display (10B), a tare weight input device (10C), an on-offswitch (10D), a net/gross selector switch (10E), an RS-232 port (10F), arechargeable battery (10G), a recharger port (10H), and may or may notinclude a portable recharger (101), all of which are shown in FIG. 4. Apractical sort of display device and platform scale adaptable to thisinvention are made by Arlyn Scales of Lynbrook, N.Y. A wireless datatransmission device could be located in the display device working withthe memory device to be continuously downloaded or downloaded in a batchat a selected time or place. A removable memory box to be placed in acradle that can transmit information in the removable memory box such asused by a Palm Pilot in the Hot Sync system (both trademarks andproducts of Palm, Inc.) facilitates data transfer.

[0055] The reference in this specification and claims to “horizontal bedsupport” is intended to include a platform or a framework thataccomplishes the same function as a platform. The horizontal bed supportin this invention is intended to stably support the hospital bed as thebed is lifted with the patient in situ. As stated previously, thehorizontal bed support is preferably a square frame, but alternativelyU-shaped. Load cells are mounted on the frame to determine bed weight.If tubes are attached to the bed or the patient hanging below andinternal to the bed frame, rather disconnecting them if no space existsto secure the tubes from being pinched by a square frame, a U-shapedframe or square frame with a gap could be used to minimize convalescentdisturbance. The reference in this specification and claims to“piezoelectric sensors” in intended to include the class of sensorsemitting an electronic signal in proportion to weight referenced in thetrade as load cells.

[0056] An electric motor with screw drive operated device is defined toinclude any electrically operated device having any requisite staticdischarge or spark arresting apparatus. Electrically driven power sourceis generally intended to refer to a motor or electrically operated lift,including a pump having any requisite static discharge or sparkarresting apparatus.

[0057] A folding handle may also be used as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 issimilar to FIG. 10 with the handle folded down and a handle pivot shown.FIG. 11 also shows steering wheels (4) at the end of the scale away formthe handle.

[0058] The attachment means referenced in the claims may be a linkagebar to the end of the piston or screw drive (5A) of the power source (5)opposite the mount of the power source. The power source (pump or motor)(5) and piston or screw drive (5A) could be installed to apply pressureagainst the linkage bar and pull the lifting apparatus tie rod (14) asshown in FIG. 7.

[0059] The embodiments represented herein are only a few of the manyembodiments and modifications that a practitioner reasonably skilled inthe art could make or use. The invention is not limited to theseembodiments nor to the versions encompassed in the figures which areintended as an aid to understanding the invention and are not meant tolimit the disclosure or the claims. Alternative embodiments andmodifications which would still be encompassed by the invention may bemade by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoingteachings. Therefore, the following claims are intended to cover anyalternative embodiments, modifications or equivalents which may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

1. A mobile bed scale for a hospital bed, said hospital bed having asupporting frame, and having an undercarriage interior to saidsupporting frame extending below said supporting frame, comprising: amobile base frame moved on a planar surface; said mobile base framehaving a means for rolling on said planar surface; a horizontal bedsupport to be slid under a hospital bed sufficiently large to stablysupport said supporting frame of such hospital bed when such horizontalbed support is raised; a lifting apparatus for elevating said horizontalbed support with minimal horizontal displacement of a hospital bed beinglifted; said lifting apparatus for elevating said horizontal bed supportbeing mounted on said mobile base and being mounted generally beneathand adjacent to said horizontal bed support; said horizontal bedsupport, said lifting apparatus, and said mobile base frame beingsufficiently low above said planar surface on which said mobile baseframe is moved to be slid under a hospital bed; said horizontal bedsupport having an aperture to accommodate said undercarriage of saidhospital bed; said lifting apparatus for elevating said horizontal bedsupport having a central lifting axis defined by a line perpendicular tosaid horizontal bed support, said line being located approximatelycentered on all moments of said horizontal bed support when a hospitalbed is on said horizontal bed support; a power source for causing saidlifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support situatedlaterally to said central lifting axis; said power source being mountedon said mobile bed scale; said power source for causing said liftingapparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support, and said horizontalbed support, being adjustably operable to a raised position by a humanfrom a standing position; said horizontal bed support having a weightsensing means; said weight sensing means being at least threepiezoelectric sensors; said weight sensing means being connected by adata transmission means to a display means; said display means beingmounted on said mobile base frame on an arm extending generally upwardsfrom said mobile base frame to permit visual perception of said displaymeans by a human in a standing position.
 2. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 1, further comprising: said data transmission meansbeing a wire harness and being connected to a memory storage device. 3.The mobile bed scale according to claim 2, further comprising: saidpower source being fluid-driven; linkage between said wheels and saidarm connected to said mobile base frame so that upon raising said arm,said mobile base frame is substantially in contact with said planarsurface to stably support said hospital bed being lifted.
 4. The mobilebed scale according to claim 3, further comprising: said memory storagedevice storing at least one bed tare weight and at least one patientweight for recall and display on said display means.
 5. The mobile bedscale according to claim 4, further comprising: a wireless datatransmitter connected to said memory storage device.
 6. The mobile bedscale according to claim 5, further comprising: a means of folding downsaid arm to facilitate storage.
 7. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 6, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 8. The mobile bedscale according to claim 6, further comprising: a recharger.
 9. Themobile bed scale according to claim 6, further comprising: said powersource being further operable by a human without necessity of auxiliarypower.
 10. The mobile bed scale according to claim 2, furthercomprising: said power source being fluid-driven; and wheel-lockingapparatus.
 11. The mobile bed scale according to claim 10, furthercomprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bed tareweight and at least one patient weight for recall and display on saiddisplay means.
 12. The mobile bed scale according to claim 11, furthercomprising: said horizontal bed support having a non-slip surface atleast where said horizontal bed support contacts said supporting frameof said hospital bed.
 13. The mobile bed scale according to claim 12,further comprising: a wireless data transmitter connected to said memorystorage device.
 14. The mobile bed scale according to claim 13, furthercomprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage. 15.The mobile bed scale according to claim 14, further comprising: arecharging outlet.
 16. The mobile bed scale according to claim 14,further comprising: a recharger.
 17. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 14, further comprising: said power source being further operableby a human being without necessity of auxiliary power.
 18. The mobilebed scale according to claim 2, further comprising: said power sourcebeing fluid-driven; at least one pop-down floor grip actuable andreleaseable by foot action.
 19. The mobile bed scale according to claim18, further comprising: said memory storage device storing at least onebed tare weight and at least one patient weight for recall and displayon said display means.
 20. The mobile bed scale according to claim 19,further comprising: said horizontal bed support having a non-slipsurface at least where said horizontal bed support contacts saidsupporting frame of said hospital bed.
 21. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 20, further comprising: a wireless data transmitterconnected to said memory storage device.
 22. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 21, further comprising: a means of folding down saidarm to facilitate storage.
 23. The mobile bed scale according to claim22, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 24. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 22, further comprising: a recharger.
 25. The mobilebed scale according to claim 22, further comprising: said power sourcebeing further operable by a human without necessity of auxiliary power.26. The mobile bed scale according to claim 1, further comprising: saiddata transmission means being a wireless data transmitter connected to amemory storage device.
 27. The mobile bed scale according to claim 26,further comprising: said power source being fluid-driven; linkagebetween said wheels and said arm connected to said mobile base frame sothat upon raising said arm, said mobile base frame is substantially incontact with said planar surface to stably support said hospital bedbeing lifted.
 28. The mobile bed scale according to claim 27, furthercomprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bed tareweight and at least one patient weight for recall and display on saiddisplay means.
 29. The mobile bed scale according to claim 28, furthercomprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage. 30.The mobile bed scale according to claim 29, further comprising: arecharging outlet.
 31. The mobile bed scale according to claim 29,further comprising: a recharger.
 32. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 29, further comprising: said power source being further operableby a human without necessity of auxiliary power.
 33. The mobile bedscale according to claim 26, further comprising: said power source beingfluid-driven; and wheel-locking apparatus.
 34. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 33, further comprising: said memory storage devicestoring at least one bed tare weight and at least one patient weight forrecall and display on said display means.
 35. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 34, further comprising: said horizontal bed supporthaving a non-slip surface at least where said horizontal bed supportcontacts said supporting frame of said hospital bed.
 36. The mobile bedscale according to claim 35, further comprising: a means of folding downsaid arm to facilitate storage.
 37. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 36,. further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 38. The mobile bedscale according to claim 36, further comprising: a recharger.
 39. Themobile bed scale according to claim 36, further comprising: said powersource being further operable by a human being without necessity ofauxiliary power.
 40. The mobile bed scale according to claim 26, furthercomprising: said power source being fluid-driven; and at least onepop-down floor grip actuable and releaseable by foot action.
 41. Themobile bed scale according to claim 40, further comprising: said memorystorage device storing at least one bed tare weight and at least onepatient weight for recall and display on said display means.
 42. Themobile bed scale according to claim 41, further comprising: saidhorizontal bed support having a non-slip surface at least where saidhorizontal bed support contacts said supporting frame of said hospitalbed.
 43. The mobile bed scale according to claim 42, further comprising:a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage.
 44. The mobilebed scale according to claim 43, further comprising: a rechargingoutlet.
 45. The mobile bed scale according to claim 43, furthercomprising: a recharger.
 46. The mobile bed scale according to claim 43,further comprising: said power source being further operable by a humanwithout necessity of auxiliary power.
 47. A mobile bed scale for ahospital bed, said hospital bed having a supporting frame, and having anundercarriage interior to said supporting frame extending below saidsupporting frame, comprising: a mobile base frame moved on a planarsurface; said mobile base frame having a means for rolling on saidplanar surface; a horizontal bed support to be slid under a hospital bedsufficiently large to stably support said supporting frame of suchhospital bed when such horizontal bed support is raised; said horizontalbed support having an aperture to accommodate said undercarriage of saidhospital bed; a lifting apparatus for elevating said horizontal bedsupport with minimal horizontal displacement of a hospital bed beinglifted; said lifting apparatus for elevating said horizontal bed supportbeing mounted on said mobile base and being mounted generally beneathand adjacent to said horizontal bed support; said lifting apparatusbeing a mechanical scissors lift; said horizontal bed support, saidlifting apparatus, and said mobile base frame being sufficiently lowabove said planar surface on which said mobile base frame is moved to beslid under a hospital bed; a fluid-driven power source for causing saidlifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support; said powersource being mounted on said mobile bed scale; said power source beingfurther operable by a human without auxiliary power; said power sourcefor causing said lifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bedsupport, and said horizontal bed support, being adjustably operable to araised position by a human from a standing position; said horizontal bedsupport having a weight sensing means; said weight sensing means beingat least three piezoelectric sensors; said weight sensing means beingconnected by a data transmission means to a display; said display meansbeing mounted on said mobile base frame on an arm extending generallyupwards from said mobile base frame to permit visual perception of saiddisplay means by a human in a standing position; and at least onepop-down floor grip to prevent said mobile bed scale from moving duringpatient weighing, which grip is actuable and releaseable by foot action.48. The mobile bed scale according to claim 47, further comprising: saiddata transmission means being a wire harness and being connected to amemory storage device.
 49. The mobile bed scale according to claim 48,further comprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bedtare weight and at least one patient weight for recall and display onsaid display means.
 50. The mobile bed scale according to claim 49,further comprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitatestorage.
 51. The mobile bed scale according to claim 50, furthercomprising: a recharging outlet.
 52. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 50, further comprising: a recharger.
 53. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 47, further comprising: a wireless data transmitterconnected to said memory storage device.
 54. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 53, further comprising: said memory storage devicestoring at least one bed tare weight and at least one patient weight forrecall and display on said display means.
 55. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 54, further comprising: a means of folding down saidarm to facilitate storage.
 56. The mobile bed scale according to claim55, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 57. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 55, further comprising: a recharger.
 58. A mobile bedscale for a hospital bed, said hospital bed having a supporting frame,and having an undercarriage interior to said supporting frame extendingbelow said supporting frame, comprising: a mobile base frame moved on aplanar surface; said mobile base frame having a means for rolling onsaid planar surface; a horizontal bed support to be slid under ahospital bed sufficiently large to stably support said supporting frameof such hospital bed when such horizontal bed support is raised; saidhorizontal bed support having an aperture to accommodate saidundercarriage of said hospital bed; a lifting apparatus for elevatingsaid horizontal bed support with minimal horizontal displacement of ahospital bed being lifted; said lifting apparatus for elevating saidhorizontal bed support being mounted on said mobile base and beingmounted generally beneath and adjacent to said horizontal bed support;said lifting apparatus being a mechanical scissors lift; said horizontalbed support, said lifting apparatus, and said mobile base frame beingsufficiently low above said planar surface on which said mobile baseframe is moved to be slid under a hospital bed; a fluid-driven powersource for causing said lifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bedsupport; said power source being mounted on said mobile bed scale; saidpower source being further operable by a human without auxiliary power;said power source for causing said lifting apparatus to elevate saidhorizontal bed support, and said horizontal bed support, beingadjustably operable to a raised position by a human from a standingposition; said horizontal bed support having a weight sensing means;said weight sensing means being at least three piezoelectric sensors;said weight sensing means being connected by a data transmission meansto a display means; said display means being mounted on said mobile baseframe on an arm extending generally upwards from said mobile base frameto permit visual perception of said display means by a human in astanding position; at least one immobilizing apparatus to prevent saidmobile bed scale from moving during patient weighing.
 59. The mobile bedscale according to claim 58, further comprising: said data transmissionmeans being a wire harness and being connected to a memory storagedevice.
 60. The mobile bed scale according to claim 59, furthercomprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bed tareweight and at least one patient weight for recall and display on saiddisplay means.
 61. The mobile bed scale according to claim 60, furthercomprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage. 62.The mobile bed scale according to claim 61, further comprising: arecharging outlet.
 63. The mobile bed scale according to claim 61,further comprising: a recharger.
 64. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 58, further comprising: said data transmission means being awireless data transmitter connected to a memory storage device.
 65. Themobile bed scale according to claim 64, further comprising: said memorystorage device storing at least one bed tare weight and at least onepatient weight for recall and display on said display means.
 66. Themobile bed scale according to claim 65, further comprising: a means offolding down said arm to facilitate storage.
 67. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 66, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 68. Themobile bed scale according to claim 66, further comprising: a recharger.69. A mobile bed scale for a hospital bed, said hospital bed having asupporting frame, and having an undercarriage interior to saidsupporting frame extending below said supporting frame, comprising: amobile base frame moved on a planar surface; said mobile base framehaving a means for rolling on said planar surface; a horizontal bedsupport to be slid under a hospital bed sufficiently large to stablysupport said supporting frame of such hospital bed when such horizontalbed support is raised; said horizontal bed support having a non-slipsurface at least where said horizontal bed support contacts a hospitalbed; stabilization apparatus to minimize horizontal displacement of ahospital bed being lifted; said stabilization apparatus being mounted onsaid mobile base and generally beneath and adjacent to said horizontalbed support; said horizontal bed support, said stabilization apparatus,and said mobile base frame being sufficiently low above said planarsurface on which said mobile base frame is moved to be slid under ahospital bed; said horizontal bed support having an aperture toaccommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed; a fluid-drivenpower source for causing said lifting apparatus to elevate saidhorizontal bed support; said power source being mounted on said mobilebed scale; said power source being further operable by a human withoutauxiliary power; said power source for causing said lifting apparatus toelevate said horizontal bed support, and said horizontal bed support,being adjustably operable to a raised position by a human from astanding position; said horizontal bed support having a weight sensingmeans; said weight sensing means being at least three piezoelectricsensors; said weight sensing means being connected by a wire harness toa display means; said display means being mounted on said mobile baseframe on an arm extending generally upwards from said mobile base frameto permit visual perception of said display means by a human in astanding position; at least one immobilizing apparatus to prevent saidmobile bed scale from moving during patient weighing.
 70. The mobile bedscale according to claim 69, further comprising: said data transmissionmeans being a wire harness and being connected to a memory storagedevice.
 71. The mobile bed scale according to claim 70, furthercomprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bed tareweight and at least one patient weight for recall and display on saiddisplay means.
 72. The mobile bed scale according to claim 71, furthercomprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage. 73.The mobile bed scale according to claim 72, further comprising: arecharging outlet.
 74. The mobile bed scale according to claim 72,further comprising: a recharger.
 75. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 69, further comprising: said data transmission means being awireless data transmitter connected to a memory storage device.
 76. Themobile bed scale according to claim 75, further comprising: said memorystorage device storing at least one bed tare weight and at least onepatient weight for recall and display on said display means.
 77. Themobile bed scale according to claim 76, further comprising: a means offolding down said arm to facilitate storage.
 78. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 77, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 79. Themobile bed scale according to claim 77, further comprising: a recharger.80. The mobile bed scale according to claim 69, further comprising: saiddata transmission means being a wire harness and being connected to amemory storage device.
 81. The mobile bed scale according to claim 80,further comprising: said attachment means being a linkage bar.
 82. Themobile bed scale according to claim 81, further comprising: said memorystorage device storing at least one bed tare weight and at least onepatient weight for recall and display on said display means.
 83. Themobile bed scale according to claim 82, further comprising: a means offolding down said arm to facilitate storage.
 84. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 83, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 85. Themobile bed scale according to claim 83, further comprising: a recharger.86. The mobile bed scale according to claim 69, further comprising: saiddata transmission means being a wireless data transmitter connected to amemory storage device.
 87. The mobile bed scale according to claim 86,further comprising: said power source having a piston; saidstabilization apparatus having a lifting apparatus tie rod tosynchronize said movement of said stabilization apparatus; said pistonhaving an attachment means from said piston to said lifting apparatustie rod.
 88. The mobile bed scale according to claim 87, furthercomprising: said attachment means being a linkage bar.
 89. The mobilebed scale according to claim 88, further comprising: said memory storagedevice storing at least one bed tare weight and at least one patientweight for recall and display on said display means.
 90. The mobile bedscale according to claim 89, further comprising: a means of folding downsaid arm to facilitate storage.
 91. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 90, further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 92. The mobile bedscale according to claim 890 further comprising: a recharger.
 93. Anelectrically operated mobile bed scale for weighing patients in ahospital bed, said hospital bed having a supporting frame, and having anundercarriage interior to said supporting frame extending below saidsupporting frame, comprising: a mobile base frame moved on a planarsurface; said mobile base frame having a means for rolling on saidplanar surface; a horizontal bed support to be slid under a hospital bedsufficiently large to stably support such bed when such horizontal bedsupport is raised; said horizontal bed support having an aperture toaccommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed; stabilizationapparatus to minimize horizontal displacement of a hospital bed beinglifted; said stabilization apparatus being mounted on said mobile baseand generally beneath and adjacent to said horizontal bed support; saidhorizontal bed support, said stabilization apparatus, and said mobilebase frame being sufficiently low above said planar surface on whichsaid mobile base frame is moved to be slid under a hospital bed; anelectrically operated power source for causing said lifting apparatus toelevate said horizontal bed support; said power source being mounted onsaid mobile bed scale; said power source for causing said liftingapparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support, and said horizontalbed support, being adjustably operable to a raised position; saidhorizontal bed support having a weight sensing means; said weightsensing means being at least three piezoelectric sensors; said weightsensing means being connected by a data transmission means to a display;and said display means being mounted on said mobile base frame on an arnextending generally upwards from said mobile base frame to permit visualperception of said display means by a human in a standing position. 94.The electrically operated mobile bed scale according to claim 93,further comprising: said data transmission means being a wire harnessand being connected to a memory storage device.
 95. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 94, further comprising: said memory storage devicestoring at least one bed tare weight and at least one patient weight forrecall and display on said display means.
 96. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 95, further comprising: a wireless data transmitterconnected to said memory storage device.
 97. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 96, further comprising: a battery for operating saidpower source.
 98. The mobile bed scale according to claim 97, furthercomprising: a recharger.
 99. The mobile bed scale according to claim 98,further comprising: a recharging outlet.
 100. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 99, further comprising: a means of folding down saidarm to facilitate storage.
 101. The mobile bed scale according to claim100, further comprising: at least one immobilizing apparatus to preventsaid mobile bed scale from moving during patient weighing.
 102. Themobile bed scale according to claim 101, further comprising: said datatransmission means being a wireless data transmitter connected to amemory storage device.
 103. The mobile bed scale according to claim 102,further comprising: said memory storage device storing at least one bedtare weight and at least one patient weight for recall and display onsaid display means.
 104. The mobile bed scale according to claim 103,further comprising: a battery for operating said power source.
 105. Themobile bed scale according to claim 104, further comprising: arecharger.
 106. The mobile bed scale according to claim 105, furthercomprising: a recharging outlet.
 107. The mobile bed scale according toclaim 106, further comprising: a means of folding down said arm tofacilitate storage.
 108. The mobile bed scale according to claim 107,further comprising: at least one immobilizing apparatus to prevent saidmobile bed scale from moving during patient weighing.
 109. Theelectrically operated mobile bed scale according to claim 93, furthercomprising: said data transmission means being a wire harness and beingconnected to a memory storage device.
 110. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 109, further comprising: said power source having ascrew drive; said stabilization apparatus having a lifting apparatus tierod to synchronize said movement of said stabilization apparatus; saidscrew drive having an attachment means from said screw drive to saidlifting apparatus tie rod.
 111. The mobile bed scale according to claim110, further comprising: a wireless data transmitter connected to saidmemory storage device.
 112. The mobile bed scale according to claim 111,further comprising: said attachment means being a linkage bar.
 113. Themobile bed scale according to claim 112, further comprising: a means offolding down said arm to facilitate storage.
 114. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 113, further comprising: at least one immobilizingapparatus to prevent said mobile bed scale from moving during patientweighing.
 115. The mobile bed scale according to claim 93, furthercomprising: said data transmission means being a wireless datatransmitter connected to a memory storage device.
 116. The mobile bedscale according to claim 115, further comprising: said power sourcehaving a screw drive; said stabilization apparatus having a liftingapparatus tie rod to synchronize said movement of said stabilizationapparatus; said screw drive having an attachment means from said screwdrive to said lifting apparatus tie rod.
 117. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 116, further comprising: a wireless data transmitterconnected to said memory storage device.
 118. The mobile bed scaleaccording to claim 117, further comprising: said attachment means beinga linkage bar.
 119. The mobile bed scale according to claim 118, furthercomprising: a means of folding down said arm to facilitate storage. 120.The mobile bed scale according to claim 119, further comprising: atleast one immobilizing apparatus to prevent said mobile bed scale frommoving during patient weighing.
 121. A method of weighing a patient insitu comprising the following steps: determining the tare weight of ahospital bed having an undercarriage without a patient in said bed;weighing a patient by sliding a mobile bed scale having a horizontallystable horizontal bed support under a hospital bed and by elevating apatient's entire hospital bed with the patient in situ on saidhorizontally stable horizontal bed support without necessity ofattachment or extension of said horizontal bed support in order toelevate said hospital bed, said horizontal bed support having anaperture to accommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed, saidmobile bed scale stably supporting said bed and containing load cells,said mobile bed scale having a fluid-driven power source for causingsaid lifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support; saidmobile bed scale having means of display, said mobile bed scale having adata transmission means connected from said load cells to said means ofdisplay.
 122. The method of weighing a patient in their hospital bedaccording to the method of claim 121, further comprising the followingsteps: transmitting such tare weight to a memory storage device;connecting said data transmission means to said memory storage deviceintegrated with said means of display which reports and stores patientweight by automatically calculating the difference between weightmeasured by load cells and the tare weight of said hospital bed. 123.The method of weighing a patient in their hospital bed according to themethod of claim 122, further comprising the following step: utilizing apower source operable by either a portable battery or by plug-in to afixed outlet in a structure.
 124. The method of weighing a patient intheir hospital bed according to the method of claim 123, furthercomprising the following step: connecting a recharger to said mobilehospital bed scale.
 125. The method of weighing a patient in theirhospital bed according to the method of claim 124, further comprisingthe following step: connecting a wireless data transmitter to saidmemory storage device.
 126. A method of weighing a patient in situcomprising the following steps: determining the tare weight of ahospital bed having an undercarriage without a patient in said bed;weighing a patient by sliding a mobile bed scale having a horizontallystable horizontal bed support under a hospital bed and by elevating apatient's entire hospital bed with the patient in situ on saidhorizontally stable horizontal bed support without necessity ofattachment or extension of said horizontal bed support in order toelevate said hospital bed, said horizontal bed support having anaperture to accommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed, saidmobile bed scale stably supporting said bed and containing load cells,said mobile bed scale having an electrically operated power source forcausing said lifting apparatus to elevate said horizontal bed support;said mobile bed scale having means of display, and said mobile bed scalehaving a data transmission means connected from said load cells to saidmeans of display.
 127. The method of weighing a patient in theirhospital bed according to the method of claim 126, further comprisingthe following step: mounting a screw drive on said electrically operatedpower source.
 128. The method of weighing a patient in their hospitalbed according to the method of claim 127, further comprising thefollowing steps: transmitting such tare weight to a memory storagedevice; connecting said data transmission means to said memory storagedevice integrated with said means of display which reports and storespatient weight by automatically calculating the difference betweenweight measured by load cells and the tare weight of said hospital bed.129. The method of weighing a patient in their hospital bed according tothe method of claim 128, further comprising the following step:utilizing a power source operable by either a portable battery or byplug-in to a fixed outlet in a structure.
 130. The method of weighing apatient in their hospital bed according to the method of claim 129,further comprising the following step: connecting a battery to operatesaid power source.
 131. The method of weighing a patient in theirhospital bed according to the method of claim 130, further comprisingthe following step: connecting a recharger to said mobile hospital bedscale.
 132. The method of weighing a patient in their hospital bedaccording to the method of claim 131, further comprising the followingstep: connecting a wireless data transmitter to said memory storagedevice.
 133. A method of making a mobile hospital bed scale comprisingthe following steps: assembling a lifting apparatus to a horizontal bedsupport having at least three piezoelectric sensors, said liftingapparatus being capable of being slid under a hospital bed having anundercarriage and stably supporting a patient's entire hospital bed withthe patient in situ on said lifting apparatus without necessity ofattachment or extension of said horizontal bed support in order toelevate said hospital bed, said horizontal bed support having anaperture to accommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed, andbeing capable of lifting said hospital bed with minimal horizontaldisplacement; assembling a mobile base frame to said lifting apparatus;disposing a fluid-driven power source on said mobile base frame to causesaid horizontal bed support to be elevated; connecting a weight sensingmeans to a wire harness; connecting said data transmission means to adisplay means; and mounting said display means on an arm, said displaymeans being perceptible to a standing human; and connecting said arm tosaid mobile bed scale.
 134. The method of making mobile hospital bedscale according to the method of claim 133, further comprising thefollowing step: utilizing a power source operable by either a portablebattery or by plug-in to a fixed outlet in a structure.
 135. The methodof making a mobile hospital bed scale according to the method of claim134, further comprising the following step: connecting said datatransmission means to a memory storage device.
 136. The method of makinga mobile hospital bed scale according to the method of claim 135,further comprising the following step: connecting a recharger to saidmobile hospital bed scale.
 137. The method of weighing a patient intheir hospital bed according to the method of claim 136, furthercomprising the following step: connecting a wireless data transmitter tosaid memory storage device.
 138. A method of making a mobile hospitalbed scale comprising the following steps: assembling a lifting apparatusto a horizontal bed support having at least three piezoelectric sensors,said lifting apparatus being capable of being slid under a hospital bedhaving an undercarriage and stably supporting a patient's entirehospital bed with the patient in situ on said lifting apparatus withoutnecessity of attachment or extension of said horizontal bed support inorder to elevate said hospital bed, said horizontal bed support havingan aperture to accommodate said undercarriage of said hospital bed, andbeing capable of lifting said hospital bed with minimal horizontaldisplacement; assembling a mobile base frame to said lifting apparatus;disposing an electrically operated power source on said mobile baseframe to cause said horizontal bed support to be elevated; connecting aweight sensing means to a data transmission means; connecting said datatransmission means to a display means; and mounting said display meanson an arm, said display means being perceptible to a standing human; andconnecting said arm to said mobile bed scale.
 139. The method of makinga mobile hospital bed scale according to the method of claim 138,further comprising the following step: mounting a screw drive on saidelectrically operated power source.
 140. The method of making mobilehospital bed scale according to the method of claim 139, furthercomprising the following step: utilizing a power source operable byeither a portable battery or by plug-in to a fixed outlet in astructure.
 141. The method of making a mobile hospital bed scaleaccording to the method of claim 140, further comprising the followingstep: connecting said data transmission means to a memory storagedevice.
 142. The method of making a mobile hospital bed scale accordingto the method of claim 141, further comprising the following step:connecting a battery to operate said power source.
 143. The method ofmaking a mobile hospital bed scale according to the method of claim 142,further comprising the following step: connecting a recharger to saidmobile hospital bed scale.
 144. The method of making a mobile hospitalbed scale according to the method of claim 143, further comprising thefollowing step: connecting a wireless data transmitter to said memorystorage device.